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Justice News

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Southern District of West Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Mercer County Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing Child Pornography

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – A 54-year old Mercer County man faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty today to possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin announced. David A. Punturi, of Bluefield, West Virginia entered a guilty plea before Senior United States District Court Judge David A. Faber.

Punturi admitted that on August 14, 2013, he possessed pictures of prepubescent minors engaged in sexual acts. The images were located on his personal computers. The court scheduled sentencing for September 2, 2014 in Bluefield.

The West Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Department conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston is in charge of the prosecution.

This case is being brought as part of U.S. Attorney Goodwin’s ongoing initiative to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in the Southern District of West Virginia.